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Patented Dec. 26, 1922.

OFFICE.

GUILLAUME WEBER, OF HAYANGE, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR TO SOCIETE LES PETITS FILS DE FRANCOIS DE WENDEL ET CIE., OF PARIS, FRANCE.

BLASTING CHARGE.

Application filed September 27, 1919. Serial No. 326,980.

(GRANTED UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE ACT OF MARCH 3, 1921, 41 STAT. I, 1313.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GUILLAUME WEBER, citizen of the French Republic, residing at Hayange, Lorraine, France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Blasting Charges, of which the following is a. specification. I

This invention relates to blasting charges based on the action of liquid air and has for its object to provide for certain improvements in the composition and disposition of the ingredients of the blast-ing charge. A further object being to improve the priming means for blasting charges of this kind.

In another application for a patent I have described a blasting charge comprising a combustible metallic powder and a combustible substance adapted to absorb liquid air, the absorptive substance being placed separately from the metallic powder. The blasting composition can be primed by means of a priming cap.

Accord ng to my present invention a blasting charge of a high explosive power is obtained by mixing one or more combustible organic substances or carbonaceous substances with one ormore combustible metallic powders, such as aluminium, antimony, magnesium, silicon, and the like, the

mixture being saturated with liquid air shortly before use after the mass has been introduced either into the bore hole or into a special cartridge when such is used.

' In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated embodiments of my invention by way of example. Fig. 1 shows acartridge in sectional elevation and containing the blasting charge according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a cross sectiontaken on the line A-B of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 illustrates a modification as regards the arrangement of the component parts of the blasting charge and the kind of primer used. Fi 4 is a cross sectional view on the line C of- Fig. 3.

To saturate the cartridge withliquid air the same is preferably'submerged in liquid air which may bev contained in a suitable vessel, and is kept-therein until the satura tion is complete.

The saturated blasting charges may be primed by means of an ordinary priming cap. However, any kind of electrical primer, such as aspark fuse or a low-tension fuse, or an ordinary cord fuse may be used for priming the charge provided the cord fuse a (Fig. 1) or the electrical fuse b at the ends of the terminals 2' (Fig. 3) is wrapped in a combustible absorptive materlal, such as is indicated by the reference letter 0 (Figures 1 and 3). This combustible absorptive wrapping will act as an independent explosive after having been saturated with liquid air, and will thereby cause the explosion of the blasting charge or cartridge.

I propose to increase the disruptive effect of the blasting charge by adding to the latter hydrocarbons, such as benzene, petroleum, naphthalene, or the like, either in the liquid or solid state. This increase in the disruptive effect is of value when blasting certain rocks which require blasting charges of a higher disruptive effect. If the blasting charge is filled into a cartridge, the liquid hydrocarbon can be poured in through the channel d provided within the cartridge (compare Figures 1 and 3) shortly before using the blasting charge.

To close the cartridge, the illustrated ex ample is shown to be provided with two stoppers; the stopper 9 closing the outer casing and leaving an opening in the centre that leads into the interior of said channel d. This latter opening is shut up by means of the stopper h after the cartridge is saturated.

If it is desired to impart to the blasting composition a diminished disruptive effect, this can be accomplished by substituting for the metal powder entirely, or partly, ironore dust.

To increase the durability of the cartridge which results in securing a better blasting action, the cartridge to be saturated. with liquid air is provided with an insulating casing which may be produced by placin several layers of paper 0 (Figs. 1 and 2% loosely one upon the other so as'to form air spaces between the several layers. One or more of such air spaces may be filled up with straws f (Figs. 1 and 2).

maintain its activity only for about half this time.

The action of a cartridge having an enhanced durability, is considerably higher, and a further advantage is obtained which consists in the possibility of preparing, tamping, and setting a plurality of shots at the same time.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A blastingcharge comprising, in combination, a mixture of one or more combustible organic substances with one or more combustible metallic powders, such as aluminium, antimony, magnesium, silicon, or the like, a hydrocarbon, said hydrocarbon being added to produce an increased disruptive effect, and liquid air.

2. A blasting charge, comprising, in combination, a mixture of one or more combustible organic substances with iron-ore dust, and liquid air.

3. A blasting charge, comprising, in combination, a mixture of one or more combustible organic substances with iron-ore dust and one or more combustible metallic powders, such as aluminium, antimony, magnesium, silicon, or the like, and liquid air.

4. A blasting charge, comprising, in combination, a mixture of one or more combustible organic substances with one or more combustible metallic powders, such,as aluminium, antimony, magnesium, silicon, or the like, a hydrocarbon, a casing for the reception of the blasting charge, and liquid air. l

5. A blasting charge, comprising, in combination, a mixture of one or more combustible organic substances with one or more combustible metallic powders, such as aluminium, antimony, magnesium, silicon, or the like iron-ore dust, a casing for the reception of the blasting charge, and liquid air.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

GUILLAUME WEBER.

Witnesses:

JEAN DUNCAN, EDoUARD FABER. 

